Went for 2nd opinion | Autism PDD

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That does sound like a great appt and a pretty good doc too. Well sounds like a lot to take in, but you have some good things going for you. I think your Dr. sounds great and understands the spectrum, that is really good news, and you got so lucky getting him in early. It sounds like the Dr. will be helpful with obtaining services too? I hope he can help. Anyway you are on the right track now. I am so glad you got a second opinion. There are a lot of good Asperger's books at the library, I always recommend (Parenting Your Asperger Child, by Alan Sohn and Cathy Grayson) I have learned so much from this book.  

Hello there -

I had an appointment yesterday and the doc told me the same thing...although my ds is showing signs of asd, he is also showing positive and basically wants to give him a chance before a labeled is placed on him.

Basically, if he did or did not label him, we would be doing the same exact thing....doing ST and OT and EI through our school district.

So it sounds like it went well and great you got in before six months...we waiting approxamately 4 for yesterdays appointment!!!

He sounds like he is doing very well and the label is not near as important as therapy is..try to supplement it private if you can.  Sarah has some hypotonia too to me (undiagnosed) she never qualified for anything but def. has issues with strength and stamina..we just put her in gymnastics and she loves it and it seems to work out every muscle in her body:) ABA is great for working on behaviors and coping skills..check it out:) Best of luck:)Here in CA, you HAVE to have a "label" in order to qualify for services
outside of the school district. For things like social skills groups, special
classes and placements, BCBAs, etc.

Everyone can hardly wait to get their "label"! It's so crazy that things are so
wildly different in different states.

It sounds like you had a fantastic appointment, and more helpful than the
last one. I'm glad you went in for a 2nd opinion. It's great that you are
listening to your gut. Your kiddo is lucky to have a Mama like you. The label is often the key to services. Can i ask why no school sport activities? That's interesting given the muscle tone prob.MamaKat, I'm in CA too.  Where are you located? 

I know what you mean about the label here.  It isn't odd for kids to have some sort of label where we are at.  In a way it makes it easier for dd's dx because it seems like so many kids are getting pulled for speech, ot, etc. that she doesn't really stand out too much.

[QUOTE=MamaKat]Here in CA, you HAVE to have a "label" in order to qualify for services
outside of the school district. For things like social skills groups, special
classes and placements, BCBAs, etc.

Everyone can hardly wait to get their "label"! It's so crazy that things are so
wildly different in different states.

It sounds like you had a fantastic appointment, and more helpful than the
last one. I'm glad you went in for a 2nd opinion. It's great that you are
listening to your gut. Your kiddo is lucky to have a Mama like you. [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=horizon]The label is often the key to services. Can i ask why no school sport activities? That's interesting given the muscle tone prob.[/QUOTE]

Dale has the anxiety and doesnt need the stress with performance with his peers.
Got you - thanks. I think its great that he can participate in scouts tho - that's really good! The ONLY label anyone needs for services is an educational one. And some states do not require that until school age.  The label does NOT have to be autism. And NO medical dx can be REQUIRED for services. Howver, many districts hesitate to label a child under autism unless there is some sort of medical dx. They'd prefer to use LD, OHI or ED, for some reason. Except in NY (where there are special guarantees under "autism,") it really doesn't matter WHAT label a child gets for educational purposes, but some label is REQUIRED (this is FEDERAL law).  That label will be in writing somewhere on the IEP. I NY, if a child is still younger than K, the label will be the same for all sped kids of that age -- Preschool Child with a Disability.  No other label is allowed in NYS until K.We went to the childrens hospital today and saw the developmental dr. After all was said and done he said Dale exhibits a cluster of disorders from the spectrum. He could very easily diagnose him with Aspergers because he fits the criteria but he is on the low end of the spectrum. He said he wont classify him because he doesnt want to label him for the rest of his life (as of yet). When we go back in 1 yr if he has not improved after the therapies then he will classify him Aspergers but he thinks Dale really needs the chance before he recommends him having a shadow (aide) and things like that. He said the reason Dale is "awkward" in his movements is because he has hypotonia. It isn't prominent but its enough to make his body movements look strange because he has low muscle tone, especially in his arms. He is recommending to the school that Dale have an adaptive gym class. That means they have to make parts of the gym class to suit him. Heres the problem. He needs physical therapy, behavioral therapy, socialization (group) therapy and sensory therapy. The dr said the PT should go in line with the sensory therapy. But none of is severe enough to make the school have to foot the bill. Dale is well enough to function day to day. He did say they may still give Dale some of these things in the school but it wont be required. I may have to make a stink to the school special services. They also arent required to have the adaptive gym class but he is going to push the school for it. He really thinks Dale needs that. Plus my insurance doesnt have to pay for it either but he will send the insurance company all the information and push them too.

He said to continue karate for him (so good for the muscle tone) and to make sure he stays involved in the scouts for socialization. Also to enroll him in any activities the school can offer that arent sports orientated.

He also said no way to the Zoloft. He feels its way to powerful for children even with Dales severe anxiety. He needs to resume one on one therapy and start group to learn to cope. Wow sounds like a great appt, but not so great that the stuff isn't required by the school and insurance. Hope his letters help. The boys had hypotonia, it has pretty much gone away as they get older, but I can see a lot of it still in Andrew, although the last dev pedi told me he doesn't have it anymore. The YMCA here has a special needs class where they do tumbling and a whole lot more specifically designed for special needs. Maybe something like that would be good for him? I always thought of sensory therapy being in the OT realm. Also the OT got one of those boards with 4 wheels on it, they go on their bellys and have to push themselves with their arms and go from room to room on it, I remember those from grade school. The boys love love love it and it has started to build strength in Andrew's arms and coordination.
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